Church – Worship Services (Part 2)

Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.1 Corinthians 11:17-26

Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.1 Corinthians 11:33-34

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.Acts 20:7

The early church would also have a fellowship meal as part of the Lord’s Day gathering. This meal would conclude with the Lord’s Supper.

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.1 Corinthians 16:1-2

The Lord’s Day gathering was also when tithes and offerings were collected. The Bible does not tell us how this is to be done. It could be done through the passing of a plate, or it could be done through a box in the back of the room.

And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.Colossians 4:16

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.1 Timothy 4:13

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Philemon 1:1-3

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.Ephesians 6:1

Part of the services would include the reading of letters from the Apostles and other Christians, letters of recommendation for membership, the reading of Scripture with explanation given, and teaching on doctrine. The services also included all people; there was no children’s church.

Conclusion

The Bible teaches a Lord’s Day gathering that is for the worship of God and the edification of the saints. The exposition of Scripture is to be central in this gathering and is to be done by several men. There should be singing and testimonies given. The church should fellowship together with the emphasis being on remembering Christ in the Lord’s Supper, not filling our bellies. There should be an opportunity given for people to give, and the whole church should be together.